Getting behind Durham's Grandview Children's Centre

Oshawa This Week

Even while bursting at the seams in anticipation of a long-awaited expansion approval from the provincial government, Durham Region's Grandview Children's Centre is doing its best to serve special needs children.

Officials at Grandview, which provides a wide spectrum of programs and services for children and youth with physical and mental challenges, succeeded last week in having the weight of Durham Regional Council thrown behind its ongoing quest for a larger facility to serve the region.

Grandview provides speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy for children up to 19 years of age with physical, developmental or communication impairment. It currently serves some 4,500 children and youth across Durham Region annually, with 1,000 more on a growing waiting list.

The success stories that emerge from Grandview are plentiful; children and youth across the region have benefited in myriad ways over the years as a direct consequence of Grandview's intervention in young lives.

Officials have quietly and patiently waited since their original 2009 proposal for a bigger, better facility to serve Durham Region residents, at an estimated cost of $42 million. And given the current fiscal limitations being faced by the provincial government -- it is still struggling with huge deficits -- Grandview officials have vowed to work to reduce that financial burden and undertake local fundraisers with the money earmarked for expansion to create a more affordable plan.

But few could reasonably argue that Grandview isn't in dire need of assistance if is to continue adequately serving Durham Region residents. Every dollar spent on programs and services at Grandview saves other health care dollars in Durham, according to executive director Lorraine Sunsrum-Mann. And Grandview's presence here at home -- even with its daunting waiting lists -- means fewer trips to Toronto for residents with special needs.

However Durham Region, in supporting Grandview, can do much more than provide moral support. Short of providing a portion of funding for the expansion (which would surely also be helpful), Durham can use its considerable clout to breathe new life into expansion discussions with the Province, and help the organization monitor its proposal and keep it on government agendas.

There is no dispute that Grandview has outgrown its current facility, built in 1983 to serve 400 children. Durham Region, its residents, and those who know the special impact Grandview has had on young lives can help keep the pressure on and the discussion ongoing.

Children and youth in Durham with special needs deserve nothing less.
-- Metroland Media Group Ltd., Durham Region Division